Domestic violence increased by 43 percent last year: Police Commissioner

Commission of Police Abdullah Riyaz has said that 148 cases of domestic violence were reported to Police last year, which is an increase of 43 percent when compared with the previous year.

Speaking at the forum to provide information to relevant groups on the campaign initiated by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon ‘Unite to End Violence Against Women’, the Commissioner said that 68 cases of domestic violence had been reported so far this year; however, these figures do not depict the real situation of domestic violence in Maldives.

“These figures do not show the whole picture, because several cases go unreported,” he said.

He noted that such cases are often not reported due to family pressure, and the lack of a proper system to provide assistance to victims. He stressed that the prevention of domestic violence against women is given priority by the Police, and said that the issue is noted in their strategic plan from 2011 to 2013.

He said that a Unit had been established earlier this year to provide assistance to victims of domestic violence, and that Police are being trained to take immediate action to prevent domestic violence.

Riyaz called on all state institutions, NGOs and the public to work together to prevent violence against women.

“We know from experience that such incidents happen not at specific times or specific places or to specific people. It can happen to anyone, in any situation. The best way to combat the problem is to empower women,” Riyaz said.